Free things to do in London
London is one of the few great cities where you can fill a whole day with world-class culture and spend nothing at all. The permanent collections of the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the V&A, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are all free, and they are only the beginning.
This page pulls together the free events on across London this week — exhibitions, talks, live music, family activities and outdoor happenings — so you can plan a great day out without a ticket. We show each event's venue and neighbourhood, its dates and any need to reserve a free slot in advance, which some of the most popular free exhibitions now ask for.
Browse everything free on below, and follow any listing through for full details. It's proof that the best things in London really can be free.
Free this week
Sir Richard Owen: A Natural Legacy - FREE!
18/07/2025 - 23/07/2026
Daily 10:00-17:50
Natural History Museum
Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks - FREE
16/06/2026 - 02/08/2026
Tue–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–8pm; Sun 10am–6pm; Closed Mon
Hayward Gallery (at Southbank Centre)Project a Black Planet / The Art and Culture of Panafrica - FREE
11/06/2026 - 06/09/2026
Gallery hours (varies)
Barbican Centre (Various)
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 - FREE!
25/06/2026 - 27/10/2026
Daily 10:30-18:00 ( Fri & Sat 21:00)
National Portrait GalleryBeauty and Destruction: Wartime London in Art - FREE
20/03/2026 - 01/11/2026
Daily 10:00-18:00
Imperial War MuseumFrequently asked questions
What can I do for free in London this week?
The list above shows free events on across London right now — exhibitions, music, talks and family activities — updated day by day, with our picks first.
Are London's museums really free?
Yes. The permanent collections of most national museums and galleries — including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate, V&A, Natural History Museum and Science Museum — are free to enter, though some special exhibitions are ticketed.
Do I need to book free events in advance?
Sometimes. Popular free exhibitions increasingly ask you to reserve a timed slot in advance. Check each listing's booking link before you travel.
How often is this page refreshed?
Continuously, so the free things to do shown are always current for this week in London.